Getting Galaxy Nexus on T-Mobile

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Monk4Life

Senior Member
Aug 24, 2007
810
235
In the Matrix
I purchased my GNex from Expansys for T-Mobile (I love the phone BTW) and I asked them specifically which version they were selling and it will be the Google build and not the Samsung build. Additionally, I was told by expansys as this is a European phone it is subject to European laws and they provide a three year warranty. I do not have that in writing but I asked the guy the same question three different ways and he gave me the same answer every time....

It actually has only a 24 month European warranty. Its stated in the warranty booklet you get in the box with the phone from expansys. But still 2 years is better than 1 year or just 90 days. This is why I paid a little more for it. Also some reviews state the newegg/amazon phones are opened already and have been turned on and already have the setup process complete. The one I got from expansys still had the Samsung seal on the box and cane with a US adapter for the charger since its the Europe version.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
 
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martonikaj

Senior Member
Nov 20, 2010
7,867
1,670
Seattle, WA
I had the same issue with Negri and Google Checkout. Use your Amazon account if you have one or just use your Google account with Expansys. Just make sure your CC company knows there will be a refund from Negri.

I used Google Checkout from Negri without issues. I pre-ordered white model (like $680) AND bought a grey model on a separate purchase ($565) with no problems.

Just setting the record straight...
 

Birdsfan

Senior Member
Jun 3, 2010
795
204
Doylestown, PA
You're right I double checked and it does say 2 years not 3, thank you for the clarification

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
 

resynx

Senior Member
Jun 14, 2010
3,231
1,288
Well I called Google and they said they're going to give me a number for a specialist. Hopefully they'll be able to make the order go through today without me having to wait for my funds to come back and reordering it next week!

Edit: I wonder why the order got cancelled though..
 

resynx

Senior Member
Jun 14, 2010
3,231
1,288
How much have you used Google Wallet? More than likely its the card company and/or Google putting a hold on the account thinking it was a fraudulent purchase.

I don't think I've used it before, aside from my market purchases showing up on it.
I never got emailed a number, guess I have to call again :confused:

Edit: Called again and they told me the previous person was mistaken, there is no number I can call and I just had to send an email.
 
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resynx

Senior Member
Jun 14, 2010
3,231
1,288
Well my posted balance now shows that the money was never charged, but it still hasn't come back into my available balance :(
How long did it take everyone else who go cancelled on Google to get their money back? I'm just so excited to order this phone!
 

neotekz

Senior Member
Oct 7, 2007
1,414
170
Ottawa
It actually has only a 24 month European warranty. Its stated in the warranty booklet you get in the box with the phone from expansys. But still 2 years is better than 1 year or just 90 days. This is why I paid a little more for it. Also some reviews state the newegg/amazon phones are opened already and have been turned on and already have the setup process complete. The one I got from expansys still had the Samsung seal on the box and cane with a US adapter for the charger since its the Europe version.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

since samsung doesnt support European galaxy nexus shipped the states, will expansys support you for the 2 years and send it out for you if you need warranty work?
 

ImDonly1

Senior Member
Oct 29, 2007
217
30
I've only read bad things about Negri, unless they changed a bit since.

Link to read

It seems the owner/CS is very defensive and won't admit to any mistakes. They will overcharge you and then if you e-mail to them complaining he will say "we do not need your business if you are threatening us." They won't refund you anything.

There are some positive reviews, but from the bad ones it seems if a problem did happen they wouldn't help you. I would prefer Amazon over Negri.

I have never used Negri personally.
 

martonikaj

Senior Member
Nov 20, 2010
7,867
1,670
Seattle, WA
I've only read bad things about Negri, unless they changed a bit since.

Link to read

It seems the owner/CS is very defensive and won't admit to any mistakes. They will overcharge you and then if you e-mail to them complaining he will say "we do not need your business if you are threatening us." They won't refund you anything.

There are some positive reviews, but from the bad ones it seems if a problem did happen they wouldn't help you. I would prefer Amazon over Negri.

I have never used Negri personally.

In my experience the prices, ship time, and customer service were all great. Again, my experience.

Just keep in mind that the people who had a bad experience are the most likely to spout off in reviews and tell everyone about it. Not saying that Negri hasn't ever made a bad call with a customer, but the cases with these things usual stem from people not understanding what they're getting into buying an unlocked phone, and they expect the same experience as going into a carrier store where the sales reps wet themselves to make a sale... And then they're disappointed when the warranty doesn't work out or they don't get to take back 5 devices for "flaws" and get replacements for free.
 

resynx

Senior Member
Jun 14, 2010
3,231
1,288
Well I hope I get good service from Negri as I've heard mainly positive things about them. And from my few phone calls to them the other day the sales rep. was very helpful and polite about the whole situation. How long did shipping take for most of you anyways?
For any one who has had an order cancelled by Google, how long did it take for the money to come back into your account? I know the rep. told me it usually would take 3-5 days, but I just want to hear some personal experiences also.
 

martonikaj

Senior Member
Nov 20, 2010
7,867
1,670
Seattle, WA
Well I hope I get good service from Negri as I've heard mainly positive things about them. And from my few phone calls to them the other day the sales rep. was very helpful and polite about the whole situation. How long did shipping take for most of you anyways?

I got it in 3 business days from NV (their warehouse) to Bellingham, WA on free shipping.
 
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resynx

Senior Member
Jun 14, 2010
3,231
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I got it in 3 business days from NV (their warehouse) to Bellingham, WA on free shipping.

Ah I'm so impatient and excited to get this phone! I've been reading up on more about rooting & ROM-ing on the Galaxy Nexus and it seems so extremely easy. The program basically does everything for you huh :eek:
So I think I actually will be rooting it as it seems as simple as using the program again to unroot and and relock the bootloader. I think I'll be trying out the AOKP milestone 4 ROM first as I've read that that is a pretty good ROM. Thanks Martonikaj and everyone else for being so helpful to me and answering my numerous questions throughout this thread :D

Oh I've also been reading the thread about the mysteriously cracking screens, keeping me fingers crossed that that doesn't happen to me! ><
 
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resynx

Senior Member
Jun 14, 2010
3,231
1,288
The Nexus will be here on Monday! My Kraken case and XO Skin screen protector will also arrive this week :D
Ah it's gonna be good to finally get off this Blackberry! Quick ROM question, has anyone tried both ARHD and AOKP? Could I hear your opinions about each of them compared to each other? (I know I can test both when I get the phone, but would just like to hear some opinions beforehand)
 

IRageQuitHard

Member
Mar 24, 2012
24
0
Ann Arbor
The Nexus will be here on Monday! My Kraken case and XO Skin screen protector will also arrive this week :D
Ah it's gonna be good to finally get off this Blackberry! Quick ROM question, has anyone tried both ARHD and AOKP? Could I hear your opinions about each of them compared to each other? (I know I can test both when I get the phone, but would just like to hear some opinions beforehand)

Hey I know that I'm bumping up a post up from about a week ago, but I'm pretty much on the same boat as you when it comes to the Galaxy Nexus. I'm probably going to buy an unlocked one off Amazon now (Around $500 at this time), and probably going to pop in a T-Mobile SIM card in as soon as I get it and use the unlimited text/data for $30/month.

The question for me is, how do I exactly get this plan and SIM card, and how do I take advantage of it? Sorry if this sounds kinda noobish, it's going to be my first phone LOL

On another note, how do I exactly flash my phone to a negri model so I can receive updates quicker? Tried searching but couldn't really find an easy guide. If anyone could link me, thanks!

Just a new user who needs help, lol
 

zephiK

Inactive Recognized Developer
Aug 23, 2009
21,655
37,705
New York, NY
The Nexus will be here on Monday! My Kraken case and XO Skin screen protector will also arrive this week :D
Ah it's gonna be good to finally get off this Blackberry! Quick ROM question, has anyone tried both ARHD and AOKP? Could I hear your opinions about each of them compared to each other? (I know I can test both when I get the phone, but would just like to hear some opinions beforehand)

There's already MANY MANY threads about AOKP and ROMs. Check those threads because this thread (i know you're OP) is about getting GN on T-Mobile.. not on ROMs but there are many other threads to see user opinions (or just view the thread for the ROM and see what people think about it).
 

resynx

Senior Member
Jun 14, 2010
3,231
1,288
There's already MANY MANY threads about AOKP and ROMs. Check those threads because this thread (i know you're OP) is about getting GN on T-Mobile.. not on ROMs but there are many other threads to see user opinions (or just view the thread for the ROM and see what people think about it).

Yes I checked them and did research after I posted that and I've decided to flash AOKP once I get the phone. I just wanted to see a quick opinion, that was all :D
Thanks again for everyone's help :)
 

martonikaj

Senior Member
Nov 20, 2010
7,867
1,670
Seattle, WA
The question for me is, how do I exactly get this plan and SIM card, and how do I take advantage of it? Sorry if this sounds kinda noobish, it's going to be my first phone LOL

You buy a SIM card activation kit from T-Mobile. Activate it online, pay for service, and put it in the phone. Done.

More reference, see this thread: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1366927

And for more info on prepaid, this thread: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1455014

On another note, how do I exactly flash my phone to a negri model so I can receive updates quicker? Tried searching but couldn't really find an easy guide. If anyone could link me, thanks!

Check with this app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.cbruegg.officialupdate

If it says you're updated by Google, you have a "yakju" model and you don't have to do anything.

If it says you're updated by Samsung, you have a "yakju**" model and if that bothers you, follow the guide here: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1464881

Just a new user who needs help, lol

Its okay. Just do some research. Theres a ton of information out there. You're not the first to do these things and they're well discussed in this forum.
 
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  • 1
    No you dont have to flash. Only if you get the samsung firmware one. Gsm ones get direct ota updates no worries.
    1
    Theres a chance you'll get a non "yakju" device (yakju** version) that gets software updates slower (from Samsung). You can flash any i9250 (GSM) model to yakju just fine, so it doesn't matter which one you actually get from the seller. It doesnt require root, just unlocking the bootloader. You can re-lock after if you really want to. Once you get the drivers installed (which can be annoying), it takes about 5 min and 10 lines in the command prompt to complete manually. No hackery.

    As far as buying it online, I recommend Negri if you value having a warranty. The Amazon model explicitly says "no warranty" on it. Negri will let you send the phone to them and they forward it to Samsung Europe for repairs, as Samsung won't take the phone directly from you. This is for manufacturer defects only, though. If you want extra accidental damage insurance you get that from a 3rd party here in the US.

    The Negri model is only $595. The CAN one is cheaper because they get a deal on them and it comes with a US-capable charger in the box (less cost to them). Don't be worried though, you can flash it to yakju the minute you get it. I bought one and it works fantastically. Functionally, there is no difference in hardware from any other i9250 variant.


    No matter where you buy it from you will always be able to just put your SIM in it and use it. Flashing to yakju isn't a necessary step to use the phone. Because you're on XDA I'm assuming you might care a bit more than the normal user though, and for that reason I recommend you flash to yakju. Even if you don't want to root or mess around, flashing is a good idea so you'll be first in line for OTAs.
    1
    I purchased my GNex from Expansys for T-Mobile (I love the phone BTW) and I asked them specifically which version they were selling and it will be the Google build and not the Samsung build. Additionally, I was told by expansys as this is a European phone it is subject to European laws and they provide a three year warranty. I do not have that in writing but I asked the guy the same question three different ways and he gave me the same answer every time....
    1
    I called Negri and they told me all their phones have the Samsung build, ugh :mad:
    I've heard that customer service is terrible at Expansys though, how did it fair for you? I'm still trying to deciding whether to buy or not buy the phone, it's so much money... lol

    Builds dont matter. You can change it to yakju, and if u don't want to then you really don't have a voice in complaining because it's there to change, but you just don't wanna do it.

    And I don't think customer service @ Expansys is terrible... contact Corey from XDA, he is from Expansys and personally posts here.

    $529 @ Newegg is the cheapest... however warranty is only 90 days compared to Negri and Expansys' warranties. We GSM users bought it way back for $700+, consider yourself lucky lol
    1
    I went through Negri since I was buying the extended battery from them as well, I figured it'd be easier doing everything from 1 site. Ugh, this is such a bummer :mad:
    I had the same issue with Negri and Google Checkout. Use your Amazon account if you have one or just use your Google account with Expansys. Just make sure your CC company knows there will be a refund from Negri. As far as the extended battery why get what you don't need unless you end up needing it?? I'm 3 months without ever having a dead battery, I charge every night though. If you want to buy an accessory buy the desktop dock!!